Where to hide myself — from myself/ 




HE MOULTRIE 



MONTAGUE 



LETTERS 

J78J 



Some Related Matters 



The Keowee Q>urier Presses, 

Walhalk, S. C. 

1904. 




PRi:.si:N'Tr:i) liv 



Where to hide myself — from myself/' 



m 



HE MOULTRIE 
MONTAGUE 
LETTERS 



J781 



Some Related Matters 






This historic correspondence is reprinted in this per- 
manent form, for the use of the members of the Massa- 
chusetts Historical Society, by the Hon. William 
Ashmead Courtenay, LL. D., of South Carolina, a 
corresponding member of the Society. 

The edition consists of two hundred copies. 






I 




WILLIAM MOULTRIE. 1730-1805 

A native and resident of Charleston, S. C. 
Colonel Commanding Fort Sullivan June 28, 1776. 

Defeating decisively Sir Peter Parker's British Fleet. 
Major General U. S. A. in the War of Independence. 

Governor of South Carolina, 1785-87 — 1794-96. 



The Moultrie-Montague 
Correspondence. 

Charlestown, February 9th, 1781. 
Dear Sir : 

It is a long time since I have had the pleasure of 
seeing you, but the length of the time has not effaced the 
civilities and marks of friendship I received from you, 
I wish much to see you ; you know I have again re- 
turned to this country for a short time. 

If it is agreeable to you, I will either call upon you 
or be glad to see you here, at No. 57, Old Church 
street. 

I send this by my old servant, Fisher, 
Your sincere friend, 

Charles Montague. 
Gen. Moultrie. 



March nth, 1781. 
Sir: 

A sincere wish to promote what may be to your 
advantage induces me now to write, and the freedom 
with which we have often conversed makes me hope 
you will not take amiss what I say. My own princi- 
ples, respecting the commencem.ent of this unfortunate 
war, are well known to you, and, of course, you can 



conceive what I mention is out of friendship. You 
have now fought bravely in the cause of your country 
for many years^ and, in my opinion, fulfilled the duty 
every individual owes to it. You have had your share 
of hardships and difficulties, and if the contest is still to 
be continued, younger hands should now take the toil 
from you. You have now a fair opening of quitting 
that service, with honor and reputation to yourself, by 
going to Jamaica with me. The world will readily 
attribute it to the known friendship that has subsisted 
between us, and by quitting this country for a short 
time you would avoid any disagreeable conversations, 
and might return at leisure, to take possession of your 
estates for yourself and family. 

The regiment I am going to command, the only 
proof I can give you of my sincerity is, that I will quit 
that command to you with pleasure, and serve under 
you. I earnestly wish I could be the instrument to 
effect what I propose, as I think it would be a great 
means towards promoting that reconciliation we all 
wish for. A thousand circumstances concur to make 
this a proper period for you to embrace; our old 
acquaintance ; my having been formerly Governor of 
this Province ; the interest I have with present com- 
manders. 

I give you my honor, what I write is entirely 
unknown to the Commandant, or to any one else ; so 
shall your answer be, if you favor me with one. 
Think well of me. 

Yours sincerely, 

Charles Montague. 

Gen. Moultrie. 



To Lord Charles Montague : 

HaddrcH's Point, March 12th, 178U 
My Lord : 

I received yours, this morning, by Fisher. I thank 
you for your wish to promote my advantage, but am 
much surprised at your proposition. I flattered myself 
I stood in a more favorable light with you. I shall 
write with the same freedom with which we used to 
converse, and doubt not, you will receive it with the 
same candor. I have often heard you express your 
sentiments respecting this unfortunate war, when you 
thought the Americans injured, but am now astonished 
to find you taking an active part against them. Though 
not fighting particularly on the continent, yet seducing 
their soldiers away, to enlist in the British service, is 
nearly similar. 

My Lord, you are pleased to compliment me with 
having fought bravely in my country's cause for many 
years, and, in your opinion, fulfilled the duty every 
individual owes it ; but I differ very widely with you 
in thinking that I have discharged my duty to my 
country, while it is still d*Iuged with blood and over- 
run with British troops, who exercise the most savage 
cruelties. When I entered into this contest, I did it 
with the most mature deliberation, and with a deter- 
mined resolution to risk my life and fortune in the 
cause. The hardships I have gone through I look back 
upon with the greatest pleasure and honor to myself. 
I shall continue to go on as I have begun, that my 
example may encourage the youth of America to stand 



forth in defence of their rights and liberties. You call 
upon me now^ and tell me I have a fair opening of 
quitting that service with honor and reputation to 
myself by going with you to Jamaica. Good God ! 
Is it possible that such an idea could arise in the breast 
of a man of honor ? I am sorry you should imagine 
I have so little regard for my own reputation as to 
listen to such dishonorable proposals. Would you 
wish to have that man whom you have honored with 
your friendship play the traitor ? Surely not. You 
say^ by quitting this country for a short time I might 
avoid disagreeable conversations^ and might return at 
my own leisure and take possession of my estates for 
myself and family^ but you have forgot to tell me how 
I am. to get rid of the feelings of an injured honest 
hearty and where to hide myself from myself. Could I 
be guilty of so much baseness I should hate myself and 
shun mankind. This would be a fatal exchange 
from my present position^ with an easy and approved 
conscience of having done my duty, and conducted 
myself as a man of honor. 

My Lord, I am sorry to observe, that I feel your 
friendship much abated, or you would not endeavor to 
prevail upon me to act so base a part. You earnestly 
wish you could bring it about, as you think it will be 
the means of bringing about that reconciliation we all 
wish for. I wish for a reconciliation as much as any 
man, but only upon honorable terms. The repossess- 
ing my estates, the offer of the command of your regi- 
ment, and the honor you propose of serving under me. 



arc paltry considerations to the loss of my reputation. 
No, not the fee simple of that valuable island of 
Jamaica should induce me to part with my integrity. 

My Lord, as you have made one proposal, give me 
leave to make another, which will be more honorable 
to us both : As you have an interest with your com- 
manders, I would have you propose the withdrawing 
of the British troops from the Continent of America, 
allow the independence, and propose a peace. This 
being done, I will use my interest with my command- 
ers, to accept of the terms, and allow Great Britain a 
free trade with America. 

My Lord, I could make one proposal, but my situa- 
tion as a prisoner circumscribes me within certain 
bounds. I must, therefore, conclude with allowing you 
the free liberty to make what use of this you may 
think proper. Think better of me. 
I am, my Lord, 

Your lordship^s most obedient. 
Humble servant, 

Wm. Moukric. 

In republishing this noted correspondence, the record 
of this distinguished soldier and model citizen, may 
well be recalled in the present generation. It is con- 
tained in his epitaph on the mural tablet in St. Philips 
church, Charleston, S. C, erected by ''the State Society 
of the Cincinnati of South Carolina.^' 

At his lamented death, in 1805, there were many 
survivors of the War for Independence, men who had 
shared with him, the perils of the contest, and who had, 



latcr^ listened to his wise advice in the Councils of the 
Union he had helped to found. As this heartfelt tribute 
is nowhere printed^ in accessible form, it may well be 
included in this permanent record, and is accordingly- 
submitted to the Society, for which, the letters are being 
published. 

The tablet was originally erected, soon after his 
death, in the old Colonial Church of St, Philips, 
(J7n-23*) The celebrated Edmund Burke, speaking 
of it, says : ^^It is spacious, executed in a very hand- 
some taste, exceeding anything of that kind, which we 
have in America/^ 

It was destroyed by fire in 1835, and rebuilt on the 
original site soon after, when the ^^Cincinnati" 
renewed the Tablet and Epitaph, and it is still pre- 
served at this writing. 



28th June, J 904. 



'^ 



SACRED TO THE MEMORY 

OF 

MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM MOULTRIE 

J Who by hiis intrepidity and good conduct on the 

^ 28th June, .177^, gained with his Regiment the fir:^ 

•complete victory achieved by America over the forces of 
Britain, preserving Charleston from captt^e, giving 
confidence to the Union, and showing that the boasted 
Navy of England was no longer invincible. 

Who in 1778 saved Beaufort from capture, by gal- 
lantly displaying his faithful band of Militia in the open 
field, discomforting an equal number of British Regu- 
lars, and proving the superiority of patriotic valor well 
directed, over the sheltered discipline of despots. 

Who in 1779, by his activity and firmness, again 
rescued his native city, assailed by a formidable British 
army, thus thrice meriting the mural crown* and 
. Who, though captured and distressed, refected with 

f disdain the splendid bribe of Rank and Emolument in 

the enemy^s amiy, demonstrated that a reverse of for- 
tune, could only add fresh lustre to his laurels. 

Though daring in action and inflexible in patriotic 
principles, he was in society, mild, benevolent and 
unassuming ; no domestic character was more beloved, 
no friend more cherished. 

The ''Cincinnati of South Carolina," have dedicated 
this second monument of their affection and gratitude 
to their beloved first President, 

He died on 27th September, J 805, in the 76th year 
of his age. 



to 



Francis Marion^ J 732-95*. 

His commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the Second 
South Carolina Regiment bears date September J6th^ 
1776, His military service was continuous to the enc^ 
of the war. Escaping" from Charleston l^fore its sur- 
render in May, 1 780, he was prominent for three years, 
keeping alive the spirit of liberty and resistance to the 
British forces, then dominating the State. His parti- 
san corps carried his fame to all parts of the Union. 

He died without issue. After three generations an 
incident occurred, which proved how universally his 
memory was cherished. About J 890 a storm threw 
down a tree, which destroyed his original tomb. The 
Legislature, by a unanimous vote, arranged for a new 
tomb, from the Treasury of the State. Over his grave 
now stands a granite sarcophagus of stately propor- 
tions and elegant finish, with bronze panels, bearing 
inscriptions. The first is the original epitaph, the 
second expresses the opinion of his people after the 
lapse of a century. As this record is not accessible 
elsewhere, it is included here, as relating to South 
Carolina's sacrifices and achievements in the Revolu- 
tion, 



n 



East panel — Sacred to the Memory 

of 

GENERAL FRANCIS MARION 

Who departed this life on the 27th February 1795 

in the sixtythird year of his age. 

History will recall his worthy and rising generations 

Embalm his memory as one of the most distinguished 

Patriots and Heroes of the American Revolution^ 

Which elevated his native Country to 

Honor and Independence 

And secured to her the blessings of Liberty and Peace* 

This Tribute of veneration and gratitude is erected in 

Commemoration of the noble and disinterested virtues 

Of the citizen and the gallant exploits of the soldier 

Who lived without fear and died v/ithout reproach. 



West panel — 

To preserve to posterity this burial place of anhonored son 

The General Assembly of South Carolina 

Replaces the crumbling and broken Tomb, nearly a 

century old^ with this enduring m.emorial 

cut from her own granite hills» 

^^Esto perpetua/^ 

J 893 



WHAT THE HISTORIAN GEORGE BAN- 
CROFT SAID AT KING'S MOUNTAIN, 
SOUTH CAROLINA, OCTOBER, J 855: 

**No State may celebrate the great events of the 
American Revolution with juster pride than South 
Carolina. At the very beginning of the struggle in 



M 8 V 



\1 



\ 76Zf she was the first to adhere to a general union ; 
and to her it is due that the Colonies then met in Con- 
gress. When, in 1774, a tyrannical government endea- 
vored by slow torture of starvation to crush Boston 
into submission, South Carolina opened her granaries 
of rice and ministered abundantly to its relief. While 
the sons of the Scottish Covenanters in Mecklenburg 
were the first to sever the connection with Great Bri- 
tain, and institute government for themselves, the 
immediate of the great reform rose within the borders 
of this State ; the victory gained at the Palmetto Fort 
by Moultrie was the bright and the morning star, 
which went before the declaration of American independ- 
ence. Wherever the camp-fires of the emigrant shall 
light up the forest of the West, wherever the history of 
our country is honestly told, wherever the struggles of 
brave men in the caus z of humanity are respected, high 
honor will be rendered to the triumph at King^s Moun- 
tain and at Cowpens, and to that sad victory at Eutaw 
Springs, where the voice of exultation is chastened by 
sorrow for the brave who fell. 

* * * 

'^ There is still a stronger reason why the North 
should give you its sympathy on this occasion. She 
sent you no aid in the hour of your greatest need. It 
is a blessed thing to give even a cup of cold water in a 
right spirit ; it was not then possible to give even that. 
All honor must be awarded to the South, since she 
was left to herself alone in the hour of her utmost dis- 
tress.'* 



^^-«^ 




JSr^^congress 











